At a recent event at Te W’anake The Foundry in Hāwera, Taranaki Foundation celebrated the allocation of $127,516 in grants to 47 diverse local groups, individuals and charities as part of its annual funding round.

Mark Bowden, Chair of Taranaki Foundation’s Distribution Committee, highlighted the record number of funding applications from a wide variety of organisations, all of whom play a vital role in a thriving community sector.

“The decisions are always difficult and this year the number of funding requests continued to be substantially above the available funds. The distribution committee works diligently to consider every application on its merits based on the priorities and available funds.”

The funding included nine grants totaling $51,700 awarded on behalf of The Tindall Foundation, supporting initiatives aligned with their Family/Whānau focus area. Among the recipients for this regional funding was On The House. They received $5,000 to help support their Kaupapa to reduce waste, feed people in need and build community through connection and participation. Terry Hancock, General Manager, On the House, says,

“On The House has experienced significant growth throughout 2023 with the establishment of the OTH Community Food Hub. The Hub has enabled OTH to divert more surplus food away from landfill and distribute it to foodbanks and community groups, as well as through the bi-weekly OTH free store services. Our ability to continue to operate would simply not happen without the much-needed financial support of organisations such as The Tindall Foundation.”

 

Another donation of $10,000 went to support the South Taranaki Whānau Centre. Manager Nicky Baker said,

“We transformed from a women’s only centre to the South Taranaki Whanau Centre in 2018 to better serve our growing and diverse Whānau community. With this year’s funding we were able to expand our counselling services to males in the community and provide essential services and programmes, such as parenting guidance, teen support, fostering positive relationships and much more.”

Other groups to benefit from The Tindall Foundation funding this year were: Big Brothers Big Sisters Taranaki, Dress for Success New Plymouth, WISE, Zeal Education Trust, Flourish Taranaki Community Trust, North Taranaki Community Mens Shed and Taranaki Retreat Trust – The Confidence Centre.

Taranaki Foundation is currently securing and growing the assets that will benefit local causes in the future.  Thanks to our growing family of donors, each year modest grants are made to community groups and charitable projects in accordance with donor wishes. Among those to recently receive a grant was Stratford Community Childcare Centre to help them maximise their outdoor space and utilise it for the adventure and learning of Tamariki all year round.

Olivia Kaye, Senior Leader, Stratford Community Childcare Centre, says, “We are so incredibly grateful to have received such a generous grant, which will fund a ‘lean-to’ over our sandpit. Ensuring our outdoor space is accessible year-round is crucial for our tamariki. This addition will enable them to enjoy the sandpit regardless of the weather.”

Additionally, through the generosity of one of our South Taranaki focused funds, we were also able to grant $5,000 to St John Taranaki District Committee to go towards the cost of operating the Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle service in Hāwera.

“Your wonderful support will enable Hato Hone St John to transport many disadvantaged and vulnerable people to their essential medical appointments. You will be contributing to improving the health and wellbeing outcomes of people in the South Taranaki area. We are sincerely grateful for your valuable support and belief in the services Hato Hone St John provides to people in our community.”

Other areas of the community to benefit from Taranaki Foundation funding this year include: Wildlife.ai Trust, Te Puna Trust, Marfell Community Trust, Hospice Taranaki, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Horses Helping Humans Taranaki, Hōiho Hāpai Hapori, Stratford Golf Club Inc, Hawera Group Riding for the Disabled and St Joseph’s School Waitara.

Josh Hickford, Chief Executive of Taranaki Foundation, said the Foundation’s growth is a testament to the groundwork laid over the past eight years “Since 2016, we’ve granted almost $1 million to our community. With funds under management now over $4 million and growing, Taranaki Foundation donors and supporters will be making a significant impact on the Taranaki region for decades to come.”

For the full list of Taranaki Foundation 2023 funding recipients. Click here